This study investigates the trends. modifications and motivations of ukuhlolwa kwezilllombi (virginity testing) among the Zulu in KwaMashu district of Kwa Zulu Natal. The study reveals that:- • Ukuhlolwa kwezillfombi has been historically regarded as a vital social tool to bring pride to the virgin girl, the parents and the community as a whole. • The big motive was to receive the full lobola especially uikomo kamama (the eleventh cow). Urbanization, industrialization, acculturation, education and religious beliefs led ukuhlolwa kwezintombi to its near demise in twenty years ago. • In recent years its resurgence has been noticed in most areas of Kwa Zulu Natal and townships to fight against women abuses, teenage pregnancies and HIV/Aids . • It is met with a variety of views and emotions with others considering it as valuable while others consider it outdated and irrelevant. • Virginity testing is regarded as a custom of cultural value and the country is in the process of African Renaissance. • Regarding the mY/Aids catastrophe, one can count on 'True Love Waits ' and virginity testing as means of prevention. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2000.

Abstract not available. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1993.

This study focuses on the work of Marcel Jousse, the 20th century French anthropologist, linguist, educationist and theologian who discovered and developed the Anthropology of Language, the study of human memory and expression, and their mutual transation. As central underpinning theory of the Anthropology of Language, Jousse identified the anthropology of Geste and Rhythm manifest in the Oral Style as gestual-visual/oral-aural mnemonic. In Memory, Memorisation and Memorisers in Ancient Galilee, the account of the transmission of the Besorah-Gospels in the intra-ethnic and extra-ethnic Galilean-Hellenic diaspora. Jousse demonstrates (I) the fidelity and accommodating fluidity of mnemonic Oral Style expression as support of human memory; (2) the role of the Metourgeman-Sunergos as interpreter-translator and scripter of the Besorah-Gospels; (3) the role of the Counting-necklaces constructed by Kepha-Peter and Shaoul-Paul as ordering and mnemonic support in the recounting the Deeds and Sayings of the Rabbi Ieshou"a of Galilee. In this thesis three kinds of translation are addressed. (I) It is about the translation of invisible and visceral memory into the visible and audible expression thereof in speech and movement for the purposes of learning, understanding and recording of the oral socio-cultural archive: Stylology manifest in rhythmo-stylistics, rhythmo-pedagogy and rhythmo-catechism; (2) it is about the translation of speech and movement into writing of two kinds: the recording of dictated texts in writing, (Memory, Memorisation and Memorisers in Ancient Galilee) and the putting-into- writing of memorised formulaic recitation, viz. rhythmo-stylistics, rhythmo-pedagogy and rhythmo-catechism; (3) it is about the translation of a specific and specialised technical texts from one (kind of) language to another: Memory, Memorisation and Memorisers in Ancient Galilee and Glossary of Joussea Concepts, Terms and Usage. The products of this study are: (I) a critical investigation and contextualised account of the perspective of Marcel Jousse on the operation of the invisible visceral metaphor called memory into the visible and audible expression thereof in speech and movement for the purposes of learning, understanding and recording of the oral socio-cultural archive in rhythmo-mnemonic expression (2) a proposed work-in-progress model for the presentation and analysis mnemonic Oral-style texts, viz. rhythmo-stylistics, rhythmo-pedagogy and rhythmo-catechism; (3) an annotated translation of Dernieres Dictees Memory, Memorisation and Memorisers in Ancient Galilee; (4) a glossary of specialised technical terms to be used in the interpretation of the works of Marcel Jousse compiled from Jousse's texts already translated into English: Jousse developed a specialised and complex terminology to explain his view of the origin and operation of mnemonic human expression. The Glossary documents this terminology, and demonstrates the translation of the concepts, and their usage by Jousse. This study is presented in three parts: Part One: Translations on and at the oral-literate interface; Part Two: Memory, Memorisation and Memorisers in Ancient Galilee - an annotated translation; Part Three: Glossary of Joussean Concepts Terms and Usage . / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2000.

India has complex and sophisticated oral tradition which ha s developed over millennia. The Sanskrit language has had an enormous influence over the whole of India, especially its oral tradition. The advent of the literate tradition in India which began approximately five thousand years ago preserved (in writing) much of the oral style elements. In chapter I of this dissertation the influence of the Sanskrit language and its oral transmission to various parts of the globe are briefly traced. Marcel Jousse, in the early part of this century, developed theories involving the anthropological basis governing human expression. These are rooted in mimism, bilateralism and formulism. Chapter 2 of this dissertation briefly outlines the principles of Jousse's theories and provides a brief overview of orality - literacy studies. The views of other experts in the field like Parry, Lord, Finnegan and Ong are also discussed. The Bhagavadgita (the chosen text) is a popular religious text among Indians. Its style encapsulates the oral style elements of Sanskrit literature. A brief summary of the first six discourses which cover the philosophy of Karma Yoga are provided in Chapter 3. Selected slokas (couplets) of these discourses are used as a basis to discuss certain formulaic techniques like a dialogue within a dialogue, application of the Parry-Lord theory, use of imagery (including simile, comparison and metaphor), use of honorific names and the significance of numbers as mnemotechnical devices. All these are elements of oral style. The discussion of the philosophy of Bhakti Yoga (Yoga of Devotion) takes up the next six discourses (discourses 7-12) of the Bhagavadg1ta. Chapter 4 provides a brief summary of these discourses. The elements of oral style which are i dentified and discussed among slokas (couplets) in these discourses are the propositional geste, parallelism, key words in a recitation and contextual meaning. The final chapter (chapter 5) deals with the philosophy of Jnana Yoga (Yoga of Knowledge). The slokas (couplets) of the next six discourses (13 - 18) which cover this philosophy are used as a basis to identify and discuss the nine characteristics of oral style as described by Ong, borrowing from other sources, alliteration and assonance which are further elements of the oral style. This dissertation concludes that the oral formulaic style has played a significant role in preserving the uniqueness, freshness and originality of the Bhagavadgita. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1995.

Abstract not available. / Thesis (M.A.) - University of Natal, Durban, 2000.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2000.

Abstract not available. / Thesis (M.A.) - University of Natal, Durban, 2000.

This study investigates the distinguishing characteristics and the modifications to the traditional male initiation ritual as practised in KwaBhaca in the Eastern Cape. The concerns surrounding the incidence of death and maiming from related traditions is also investigated. The study reveals that • the male initiation ritual is still highly regarded in KwaBhaca; • the male initiation ritual itself is still performed strictly traditionally in KwaBhaca; • the male initiation ritual as practised in KwaBhaca has been successfully performed with minimal negative incident attributable to the performance of traditional circumcision; • where there is incidence of a negative reaction, this is usually attributable to a prior health condition of the initiate, and in these circumstances, the initiate is referred to a medical doctor, on condition that the medical doctor is himself an initiate, and that the consultation will be conducted in a place deemed to be safe from spiritual contamination • incidences of maiming and death can be attributed to a number of causes, associated with poor practice and unacceptable conduct; • boys who do not undergo circumcision in the traditional fashion are not regarded as men and remain boys in the eyes of the community. This means that they have to forego participation in important socio-spiritual ceremonies; • there is a necessity to share the experience of the successful traditional circumcision process to avoid further misadventure, maiming and death; • it is not the mechanics of the process of traditional circumcision that endangers lives, but the poor practice of the iingcibi (traditional surgeons) and other significant role-players including the initiates; • The traditional teaching that accompanies the ritual of circumcision is as important, if not more important, than the ritual itself. The study concludes with a series of recommendations aimed at rehabilitating and supporting the continuation of this important and venerated tradition. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2000.

This dissertation is an attempt to draw a connecting link between Marcel Jousse's theory of MIMISM as found in his book The Oral Style and the symbols used when celebrating four of the sacraments celebrating in the Roman Catholic Church. These symbols are water used in the sacrament of baptism, the bread and the wine as used in the celebration of the Eucharist, and the oil which is used in the sacraments of Confirmation and the Anointing of the Sick. Jousse was the first anthropologist to discover that all action or gestes as he called it, is constantly being replayed and re-enacted by man. The second chapter in this thesis will give a comprehensive summary of this theory of MIMISM. Since man is constantly attempting to get closer to God whom he falls short of when he sins, this practice of the sacraments is a means of getting man back in touch with God and the symbols used in this procedure is what actually makes it real. After a chapter on symbolism and the role that symbols play in the celebration of sacraments, the next chapter deals with the rites, rituals and religion in society. It is the symbols together with the rights, that in effect bridge the relationship between God and man. The final chapter then looks into the symbols themselves, which are oil, water and the Eucharist and fits the entire subject into perspective. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, 1994.

Abstract not available. / Thesis (M.A.) - University of Durban-Westville, 2001.